𝗡𝘄𝗦𝗦𝗨 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗻 “𝗗𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲” 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
By Patrick Rubio, James Aldrin Brase
Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) – Main Campus denies allegations of selling diplomas, according to a statement released on the university’s official Facebook page on September 30, 2025.
This was after the issue that circulated on social media, following a controversial series of posts from Jerry Gracio, a well-known writer and a former commissioner for Samar-Leyte Languages, gained traction on Facebook from September 27, 2025, Saturday.
In his series of posts, he has presented numerous acclaimed pieces of evidence supporting his claim regarding the NwSSU’s issue of ‘diploma for sale’.
According to him, NwSSU over its Special Academic Program (SAP), allegedly sells diplomas to students, including those from South Korea. In a 2022 article in a South Korean media outlet, students can obtain a diploma from NwSSU in just 15 days for a hefty million won.
“Puwede ka magkaroon ng diploma sa loob lang ng 15 days basta magbayad ka lang ng 1.8 million won. Ang nagbibigay ng diploma: Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU),” Gracio wrote in one of his posts.
𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱
In 2022, a controversy involving an alleged “diploma for sale” emerged on Facebook. The post, which appeared on a Korean website Chuson Ilbo [ ‘korea daily newspaper’], featured the signatures of the University President, the Vice President for Internal Affairs, and the Director of the International Oriental Medical Doctors College (IOMDC), but was later confirmed to be fraudulent.
READ: https://bit.ly/42iZlje
During the press conference held at the NwSSU Hotel and Restaurant back on November 15, 2022, Dr. James Ruiz, International Affairs and IODMC Director with the University President Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, has already addressed the issue.
“Mga e-sign man la iton…it’s illegal so we’re trying to determine with the help of our commissioner kasi mayda liwat mga documents na nagkagawas signed by the commissioner medyo na-alarm kami, and we are already seeking the help of the Korea to determine them…It will be degrading on us if we’ll not stop it, but definitely it’s faked, all of these things are fake,” Dr. Pecayo said.
“No, it’s not [our] website…I just see it now…this one is the first time to see now,” Dr. Kim’s response when asked about the legitimacy of the website [chuson.com] where the article was posted.
Although the issue was addressed that same year by the university’s education authorities, it resurfaced again after Gracio’s post.
𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻
In response to this, NwSSU denied the allegations, labeling these claims as baseless and defamatory. All academic degrees and credentials conferred by the institution are earned through legitimate academic performance.
“NwSSU does not, and has never, engaged in any program, policy, or practice involving the sale of diplomas, academic credentials, or any form of certification.” said from the statement released.
Based on its official statement, the university is conducting a thorough investigation, working closely with its legal counsel and pursuing legal action against those responsible for spreading false information. Several unauthorized websites have also been identified and requested to be taken down.
NwSSU assured that it will take all necessary actions to protect its reputation, students, and the integrity of its academic programs.
Meanwhile, The Courier Publication is set to conduct an interview with the University President, Dr. Benjamin Pecayo, with the date to be confirmed based on his secretary’s provided schedule.
The interview aims to collect Dr. Pecayo’s perspective on the issue at hand.
Additional information will be released once a statement from the president has been gathered.
𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗦:
Jerry Gracio’s exposé about the issue: https://tinyurl.com/2m33dcmm and https://tinyurl.com/57tbdaf9
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via Patrick Rubio, James Aldrin Brace (Probationary Staff), Dioven Cardinas (Former News Editor)
Graphics by Elaine Mateo
